Locomotion Activities The aim of Modified Sport Fundamental Skills is to develop basic sports skills through simple, enjoyable play activities. This section contains activities pertinent to jumping. They are grouped for: Exploring jumping...p50 for distance...p52 for height...p55 to rhythms and patterns...p58 Springing...P58 Skipping...P63 Skipping with ropes...p64 in water...p66 The activities are generally arranged from the simplest to the most complex. The activities have been selected with schools specifically in mind but an input of professional skill and judgement is needed to ensure lively and relevant programmes. Decisions will need to be made on when and how the activities are used and what modifications are needed to match age and ability. The activities also fill a need outside class programmes. They are useful for children s learning and play at any time lunch time, after school, sports training, holiday programmes and at home. Parents and others who play with children in informal situations should find the ideas particularly helpful. MODIFIED SPORT FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS 49
Exploring Activity 47 Can You Jump? Smooth surface. Exploring Activity 48 Big A Little A Any suitable space. Footwear recommended. Children spread out in a defined area. Children respond to teachers questions Can You jump...? or Who can jump...? in different ways on the spot turning/forwards/ backwards/sideways as above but with a rebound side to side of a line/over a space forwards and backwards over a line or space in and out of a hoop or rope shapes with a ball or folded rope between the feet as above jumping forwards, backwards or sideways from one foot to the other uphill, downhill to a rhythm clap, drum or music, a rhyme. jumping lightly jumping quietly bending knees slightly on landing springing from ankles and toes jumping tall. Class stands along a line with one or more cats out in front with backs turned. Children chant Big A, little A while stretching tall then crouching Bouncing B jumping on the spot Cats in the cupboard and can t see me as they creep up to the cats. On me the cats turn and chase the others back to the line, trying to catch as many as they can. fun jumping lightly jumping quietly. VARIATION Big A big jumps. Little A small jumps. Small groups with children asking the questions. 50 MODIFIED SPORT FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS
Locomotion Activities Exploring Activity 49 Jenny (Jimmy) Any suitable space. Exploring Activity 50 Jump Jim Crow Learn the song or have a tape. Any suitable space. Double circle facing partners Jump, jump and jump Jim Crow 2 high slow jumps, followed by 3 quick jumps Take a little twirl and away we go. In a circle a chosen child starts jumping any way they like saying This is the way Jenny (Jimmy) jumps. The remainder then copy both the words and the jump. During this, the first jumper nominates the next jumper who repeats the words and jumps in a different way. Make the action continuous. a variety of jumps springing from ankles and toes. VARIATION Instead of Jenny or Jimmy, they name and imitate any known sportsperson or an animal. Join two hands with partner and run around on spot. Slide, slide and stamp just so. All take 2 side steps to the right to meet a new partner. Stamp 3 times. Then we take another partner and we jump, Jim Crow. Join both hands with new partner, run around on the spot ending in own place. Jump 3 times. coordinating movements with the song small controlled movements. If changing partners is too difficult keep both hands joined, slide 2 steps clockwise then the outside circle moves on 1 or change the last verse to Then we stop with our partner and we jump Jim Crow. MODIFIED SPORT FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS 51
for Distance Activity 51 Exploring for Distance Flat surface. Footwear recommended. for Distance Activity 52 Shark! Hoops. Grass or hard area. Bands or bibs. In a defined area. Without touching others Can you jump...? 1 foot to the other foot 1 foot to the same foot 1 foot to 2 feet 2 feet to 1 foot 2 feet to 2 feet. landing lightly landing quietly legs give slightly jumping high jumping long. Follow the leader in small groups. Use skipping ropes/hoops on the ground to jump over. Jump forwards, sideways, backwards. Individually or in small groups make up a sequence using 2 or more different jumps. How far can you jump with 3 consecutive jumps either the same or different jumps. Hoops scattered round defined area. One or more children wearing bands/ bibs are sharks. Children move freely on signal, shark they jump into a hoop (island) to be safe. Which shark can catch the most before they get to a hoop? Choose new sharks. jumping high to jumping long landing quietly. Restrict the number on an island. Designate the type of jump. Increase the number of sharks. Move to music and stop this for the shark alert. 52 MODIFIED SPORT FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS
Locomotion Activities for Distance Activity 53 Square Square or squares on suitable surface. for Distance Activity 54 Hopscotch Chalk, tokens such as stones or sticks. Hopscotch grids. Small groups or pairs. Children stand evenly spaced on the 4 sides of a square. Two opposite sides numbered 1, and the other sides 2. A child calls 1 or 2 and all children on these two lines jump across to the opposite line without touching anyone. When the child calls 3, all sides jump to the opposite side without touching. balance looking ahead. VARIATION Make a large dice with 1, 2 and 3 on opposite sides. Throw this and call the numbers. Start outside square 1 and throw a token into it. Stand on one leg, bend down and pick up the token. Throw it into the second square. Hop into the first square, pick up the token, then hop back to the start. Throw into the third square and continue. The child has to hop in the single squares and jump with a foot in each of the double squares. As the throw gets further away the child performs a sequenced movement pattern of hopping and jumping to retrieve the token. When a mistake is made by not landing the token in the correct square or not hopping or jumping correctly in the squares, the next player has a turn. balance cushioned landings. Hop with hands behind your back, on top of head, on hips, in various other positions. In pairs one starts from each end. MODIFIED SPORT FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS 53
for Distance Activity 55 Hop to it Flat surface. for Distance Activity 56 Jump your own Height Chalk or small markers. Suitable landmarks about 5-10 metres apart. Children at a starting point. They hop to called landmarks jungle gym, goal post, steps, sandpit etc. Change the call at any time. Measure your height on the ground using a marker. See if you can jump in different ways and reach your height. Which is the easiest way to do this? hopping lightly using arms to assist lift hopping tall keeping distances short. Use different jumps. short run up landing lightly landing quietly balance. VARIATION Take your best jump and find out whose height it is. Run to the called mark and hop around it. 54 MODIFIED SPORT FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS
Locomotion Activities for Height Activity 57 Exploring Jumps for Height Flat smooth surface. Children spread out in a defined area. Explore jumping for height by giving them the following ideas. Slow or fast jumps/leaps for height: 1 foot take-off, land on 2 2 feet take-off, land on 2 run, on signal jump high and land on 2 feet. jump over lines, ropes, spaces, low obstacles. extension of hips, knees, ankles flat foot take-offs landing lightly, softly legs give cushioning sensation of ankles, knees, hips. Eyes open/closed. Jumps as above. Make up your own jump sentence. for Height Activity 58 Hoop Jump 1 hoop per pair. Well-grassed area or indoor space. Pairs spread out with a hoop. One child places the hoop on the ground and the partner jumps into the hoop and then out. The hoop is raised slightly for each successive jump until the partner touches the hoop or thinks they cannot jump over it. Change over. Hold hoops with a wide grip, using both hands. using arms to assist jump head high keeping hoop steady. Try different jumps. Jump backwards, sideways, off 1 foot. Land on 1 foot/2 feet. Hold the hoop overhead. The jumper tries to jump up and touch the hoop. Place hoops in a line or a formation (square, weaving line, triangle etc) close together, at different heights. MODIFIED SPORT FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS 55
for Height Activity 59 over Low Obstacles/ Ropes Crash pad or padded platform. for Height Activity 60 on And off Benches Benches or other stable low platforms. Cones, ropes. Walk 2 steps, hop onto high platform. Walk 2 steps, jump 1 foot to 2 feet onto pad. Use scissor action over a low cane or rope at mid-calf level. Jump scissor action over several low canes or ropes in a row. Increase heights gradually. For hesitant children, hold hands as they attempt to jump. upright trunk landing tall practising from both sides leg closest to obstacle swinging up and forward first Benches in circuit. Children in waves of 3-4. Leap up and onto bench, 2 feet take-off and 2 feet landing. Leap onto bench, 1 foot take-off. Leap off bench, 2 feet landing. secure, stable benches give on landing both feet landing together swinging arms upward on jump. Follow the leader in small groups. Leader nominates jump. Turn some benches lengthwise. Allow those with the ability to jump right over the bench. keeping head upright. 56 MODIFIED SPORT FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS
Locomotion Activities for Height Activity 61 High Tide Ropes. Grass or hard area. for Height Activity 62 Circuit Markers, chairs, broom handles, softball bases, benches, crash mats, hoops or drawn circles, low stage or platform. A level well-grassed space, indoor space. Ropes held by several pairs in a circle, remainder move around circle in pairs jumping ropes. On the call The sea is flowing, ropes are moved gently from side to side. The sea is low, ropes are low. The sea is high, ropes are higher. The sea is rough, ropes are held to stop the next pair who take over the rope. balanced approach and landing height in jumping soft landings. Using the above equipment ideas or those of your own, set up jumping stations. The children jump for height over, onto or across the pieces of equipment. Work in pairs and spend approximately 2-3 minutes at each station. Vary take-offs and landings from 1 foot to other, 1 foot to same, 1 foot to both, twist in mid-air. If obstacles are long enough, more than 1 child can clear the same obstacle at the same time. height in jumping soft landings clear space for landing. Follow the leader around. Jump to touch objects held overhead by partner. Children move freely making their own circuit. MODIFIED SPORT FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS 57
to Rhythms and in Patterns Activity 63 Exploring in Patterns and Rhythms Flat surface. Springing Activity 64 Feel the Spring Firm, even surface grass, floor etc. preferably not concrete. Drum or other rhythm instrument. Music. In free formation children jump a given pattern, eg jump forwards, sideways, backwards. In pairs combine the pattern. Repeat the pattern to a beaten rhythm. Make up own pattern using jumps, forwards, sideways, backwards. Move into pairs and combine patterns. In groups of 3 make up a jumping pattern to own rhythm. Using the same pattern change the type of jump/s. Jump a floor pattern geometric shapes, letters, numbers, names etc. Compose a jumping sequence to music with a suitable beat. landing quietly and lightly Change the speed, the type of jump, the patterns (rhythmical and floor), the rhythm instruments. Children spread out. As a group, children spring upwards on the spot 3-5 times without stopping, counting the springs out loud. springing from ankles and feet with only slight knee flexion counting on the upward part of movement, not the landing tight body. Spring on a line. On signal run to a new line and spring. Try to spring in unison with a partner on signal find another partner. 58 MODIFIED SPORT FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS
Locomotion Activities Springing Activity 65 Spring with Locomotion Firm, even surface. Springing Activity 66 Spring from Hands and Feet Firm, even mats or grass. Children in lines or grid position. Who can...? spring forward across the floor spring forward 2, back 1 spring in a square forward/side/ back/side run forward 4 steps, spring forward/ spring back spring on 1 foot only make up other movement patterns using different directions, 2 feet, 1 foot, half and full turns form a chain (congo line) to spring in unison make up a springing dance in groups of 3. springing from the ankles and feet tight body throughout only slight knee flexion landing on balls of feet. In kneeling or press-up position spring off hands 2-3 times. Spring off wall, padded bench or box top. Keep back and arms straight. In lines or spread out, spring from hands and feet. Rabbits (pattern hands from feet). Crickets (pattern: hands and feet simultaneously). Run on hands, spring from feet. Run on feet, spring from hands. Gallop on hands and feet. Gallop on hands, spring from feet (reverse). tight body throughout hands flat, turned inward slightly slowly first until coordination is learned everyone moving in same direction to avoid collisions. MODIFIED SPORT FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS 59
Springing Activity 67 Spring Circuit Stable obstacles of varied heights eg beatboards, low boxes, benches, foam squares, elastic, flexicord, hoops. Springing Activity 68 Rhythmic Springing Boxes about mid thigh height and/or beams and/or stage. Music brisk skipping speed 4:4 rhythm. Make a circuit of several different obstacles. Children spring up, down, over, around, in and out of the obstacles across the floor. Vary the circuit. Reverse direction. With a partner (to assist if necessary). Spring from hands and feet through circuit. alternating rest and short work intervals explosive action rather than jump and land. Children run 4 beats, then place hands on box top or beam (etc) and spring off feet for 4 beats: legs straight legs side to side with each beat. LOOK FOR fast action, through feet. feeling and keeping to the beat. VARIATION Skipping, on signal skip to a piece of equipment and spring 4 beats as above, then skip freely again. 60 MODIFIED SPORT FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS
Locomotion Activities Springing Activity 69 Exploring Skipping Rhythm instrument. fun, creativity, innovation children s own suggestions. Skipping music. Suitable surface. In defined area children respond to teachers questions Can you skip...? or Who can skip...? forwards in straight/curved/zig-zag lines in geometric shapes along lines quickly/slowly/varying speed up high/down low backwards/sideways to the beaten rhythm lightly/heavily in (3) different ways following/beside a partner to the music happily/angrily/sadly tightly/loosely with big arm movements your own little dance alone/with a partner. MODIFIED SPORT FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS 61
Springing Activity 70 Frost and Thaw Grass or hard surface. Springing Activity 71 Couple Tag Hall, grass, hard surface. 2 different coloured bibs or bands. Spread out in a defined area. 1 or more players are Frost and wear a bib of 1 colour. The same number are Thaw with a bib of the other colour. Frost tries to tag the other players who must freeze on the spot. Thaw can tag these players to free them to rejoin the game. All movement is skipping. light long skips using arms to help. Allow anyone to thaw those frozen. When a player is frozen they stand with feet apart and are freed by a free player crawling between their legs. (Stuck in the mud.) In a defined area 3 couples with inside hands joined are the taggers. Everyone skips.taggers keep hands joined and chase the free players. If tagged, the free player replaces the one who tagged. Continue for several minutes. partners working together. VARIATION Vary the number of taggers depending on size of class. 62 MODIFIED SPORT FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS
Locomotion Activities Springing Activity 72 Blob Tag Hall, grass, hard surface. Skipping Activity 73 Poison Circle Rhythm instrument. Grass, hard or indoor area. 1 pair join hands and are the taggers. Everyone skips. Keeping hands joined taggers try to tag free players with their free hands. When a free player is tagged they join the pair which becomes a threesome or a Blob of 3. The 3 continue to chase and when a fourth person is tagged they break into two Blobs of 2 and both Blobs continue to chase and tag.the game is completed when everyone is in a Blob. control and safety working in unison. Spread out within a marked circle. Children skip and pretend everyone else in the circle is poison. If another person touches you, you are poison too and must skip with one hand behind your back. If touched a second time the other hand is put behind your back. Begin by skipping slowly, then at progressively faster speeds. light, quiet skips rhythm. Change the circle size to make the game easier or more difficult. Skip to music. VARIATION Keep the Blob of 4 until a fifth person is tagged then have the Blob break down to a 3 and a 2. MODIFIED SPORT FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS 63
Skipping with Ropes Activity 74 Learning to Skip with a Rope Smooth surface. Rope for each person. Spaced in a defined area. Make up a sequence and keep repeating it. Running steps with knees up, heels up or hopping on alternate feet use any suitable activities under the basic jump. Skipping with a partner one rope activities as above, turning the rope forwards or backwards. Children work through the progressions at their own rate. Holding a rope in half, circle it overhead like a helicopter left and right hands. Circle the rope on either side standing still/running. Circle and move it from overhead, to front, to side standing still and moving. Skipping, jumping feet together. As above moving forward. Skipping, running step on the spot. As above moving. Skipping facing a partner. Skipping beside a partner. Skipping one in front of the other. Skipping, one following the other. Skipping in small groups. Using the basic jump on the spot for a set number of jumps or for a given time. relaxed rope swing jumping tall jumping quietly and lightly time for individuals to work at their own speed ropes of correct length stand on the rope and hold arms straight out and at waist level. Adjust rope and grip at this length. VARIATION Use music for timing and motivation. Jump back and forwards over a stationary or gently swung rope. On the spot varying the speed. Skip turning the rope backwards, varying as above. Move forward, backward or sideways varying as above. 64 MODIFIED SPORT FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS
Locomotion Activities Skipping with Ropes Activity 75 Rope Skipping on the Move One rope per child cones or markers to show the boundary. Extensive hard surface, eg netball court size, short grass. Children in lines of about 6 lined up across the width of the area being used, all facing the direction of travel. First line skips to the end of the area. Each line follows as children get to the end they jog back around the sides of the area and line up again. If the area is very large the children may be able to freely move rather than in the lines described above. Running step 1 a running leg action with one turn of the rope for every step. Left over rope turn, right over rope turn etc. Skipping with Ropes Activity 76 Long Rope Skipping Long ropes. Suitable surface. In groups of 3-4, 2 holding the rope: Jump from side to side of a low stationary rope. Rock the Rope: Swing the rope from side to side. Jump over the rope with feet together then jump back flick rope over and jump with 2 feet or left, right. In a turning rope can you: jump (2 feet) run hop call in a friend, step, turn and run out. Running step 2 running leg action but both feet step for each turn. The run is like a leap. Left, right over rope turn left, right over rope turn etc or right, left over rope turn etc. spacing for safety rhythm light, quiet skips. Skip lifting knees high in front. Skip kicking legs behind. One at a time run in, perform 1 skip and run out as the rope is turned. Increase the number of skips. Follow the leader. MODIFIED SPORT FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS 65
Alphabet Word Game Using a long rope child jumps in and begin jumping, everyone begins saying the alphabet, after each letter, the jumper names a word beginning with that letter, eg: A (jump) Apple (jump) B (jump) Banana (jump). Bean Bag Jump Child jumps in with a bean bag, drops and picks up the bag without missing a beat. Try a large ball. Calling In Child runs in and jumps once. Next child runs in, they both jump together then the first child exits as the third runs in etc. Chase the Fox The leader runs in and performs an action and the rest follow, eg: touching ground bending turning. Red Hot Pepper Each child jumps ten pepper (fast). keeping on toes in Water Activity 77 in Water In pairs, 3s and 4s, jump across shallow pool. landing both feet together keeping together in line individually around geometric shapes, circles, large squares. Jump both forwards and backward with feet together. arm and hand movements for balance Hopping on one foot in stationary position, then move in free space. Hop in formations, pairs or groups. body leaning forward, rowing action with arms hopping tall Introduce evasion by changing direction to change places with partner. Jump along a pool lane marker landing alternately on the left and right of the line. a double foot take-off and double foot landing. rhythmical rope turning. Vary the turning speed. Increase the number of activities in the middle. Change rope turners without stopping. Add music. 66 MODIFIED SPORT FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS